Latest 'Twilight' Zone Update...
There they are -- squatting in Westwood outside Mann's Village theater starting Sunday to have curbside views of the red carpet arrivals for the Twilight movie premiere on Monday. First about 25 people showed and then 50, mostly female, and growing in size. (It's now around 300) One of their signs says, "Not Moving Til Twilight". I'm assured that 
Summit Entertainment isn't paying them to pull a publicity stunt. But hordes of teen fans of Stephenie Meyer's four vampire books also camped out in downtown Toronto in the rain and cold on Friday to see the Twilight actors at MuchMusic's studios on Saturday (photo below). The weekend before, 3,000 showed up at a similar event in San Francisco and created chaos when organizers had wristbands for only 1,000. And outside Chicago last week, chaos ensued when Twilight star Robert Pattinson appeared for a meet and greet at a mall where 500 fans waited outside -- some overnight -- to ask him for a "bite". The fans first made their ardor known this past summer at Comic-Con when thousands camped out the night before to see the cast and crew present new footage.
Right now, Hollywood doesn't quite know what to make of this frenzy in terms of estimating box office grosses for this low-cost blockbuster's November 21st opening. My box office gurus are all over the place right now, with estimates ranging from $35M and maybe $40M all the way up to $60M. ("Well that would be something, especially for a one, to one and a half, quadrant movie. I guess after this weekend anything is possible but that seems very aggressive," one major studio bigwig told me.) I've already reported that even two weeks before its opening, Twilight already sold out nearly 100 show times, and now that number is 200 a week before the November 21st release date across the nation. On Monday, Summit has arranged with the major theater circuits for Thursday midnight or Friday morning shows. On Monday, Summit has arranged with the major theater circuits for Thursday midnight or Friday morning shows in 3,386 theaters playing Twilight. With only a $37 million negative cost, this low-budget blockbuster just doesn't happen often in the film biz. So if the movie lives up to the advance hype, Summit will be sitting on a big new franchise. As I've reported, the start-up studio is already prepping the sequel.
Meanwhile, the studio's flacks keep having to update its brag sheet daily. The official film website has received over 11MM views since October. The trailers have garnered over 12MM views on MySpace, which is a record. The debut of the final trailer in the Twilight widget and on MySpace Trailer Park generated over 3.5 million views in the first 48 hours. It's the 3rd most searched movie on IMDb Pro’s MOVIEMeter (others above it are already in theaters). Robert Pattinson is #2 on their STARMeter, ranking higher than Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, while Kristen Stewart is #4 on the list, higher than Angelina Jolie. There was so much response to the Twilight casting photos when they were initially posted that MTV.com’s server crashed. They did similar numbers to the Harry Potter and Spider-Man franchises.
In media, the Entertainment Weekly "Twilight Saga" cover was the best-seller of the year for the mag, surpassing the Dark Knight and Harry Potter covers. Because of this, EW is putting Twilight on another cover, which is rare for the mag to feature the same film like that twice. Vanity Fair features an entire cast spread in their December issue. When TV's Extra aired a segment from Ashley Greene's and Rachelle Lefevre’s H Magazine photo shoot, it was the second-highest rated show in primetime. Posted on the website, the segment generated 3x the traffic Extra got for the Jonas Brothers.
Overseas, ticket sales for the Rome International Film Festival sold out in a few hours, prompting festival organizers to add another screening. In Spain, over 1,000 screaming fans tried to get into a presentation at the Sitges Film Festival, more than 3x the maximum occupancy.
As for music, the Twilight soundtrack is #1 ( on Top 200, Soundtrack and Alternative charts) after one week of release. It's the first soundtrack to accomplish this feat in 6 years (since 8 Mile was released). Even when the soundtrack wasn't even completed, it was already in the Top 5 Best-Selling Albums on Amazon based on pre-sales alone. Paramore’s single “Decode” is a huge hit.
What a shame that a Star Trek or Star Wars movie isn’t opening down the street.
Then all those virgins of both sexes could get together & maybe learn what they’re missing!
Comment by Unindicted Co-Conspirator — November 16, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
I am not surprised, all over my office females were reading “Twilight” and since I love Vampire novels they asked me if I read it. I said uh, no thanks I’ll stick to adult oriented stories. I don’t do kiddie vampires.
Twilight- is the new “it” thing, people will line up far and wide to see this movie. I wouldn’t be surprised if it made over 70+ million in it’s first weekend, with a big drop the second. It really don’t think it has any staying power.
Comment by TVFan — November 16, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
This will definitely make $60M it’s first weekend. It’s too huge with too many people - the big teen girl crowd but also those in their 20s and of course the “Twilight Moms” who are older and also rabid about the books. The question is, ‘does it matter if the movie is any good or not to make this money?’
Comment by F. — November 16, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
It all started with Sex..City, followed by HSM3 and now we have Twilight
I am talking about the ‘fangirls’ effects, the same one we’ve been using at movies where the boys will rus out on the 1st day to be the 1st to watch it
Star Wars 1-3, Matrix Revolution, Harry Potter were some of the few movies that had benefitted from the ‘fanboys’ effect and now we are beginning to see the girls following suit.
I guess next in line will be ‘Granny-effect’ where grannies and grandaddies will be the 1st in line to watch movies from Clint Eastwood, Russel Crowe, Streep among others
Comment by Armand — November 17, 2008 @ 12:23 am
Pattinson is No #1 on IMDB’s Starmeter.
Comment by jen — November 17, 2008 @ 12:28 am
It is a publicity stunt. Twilight could do pretty well, but I predict that Bolt will out draw this movie simply because it is a family movie about a superhero dog.
For the record, both men and women are Star Wars fans, but this movie is a relationship drama which means that women are more likely to see it than men.
Comment by Jessy S. — November 17, 2008 @ 12:56 am
I have lived to see the day when STAR WARS male geeks have found their female counterparts.
Comment by spacesheik — November 17, 2008 @ 2:10 am
Where’s Triumph the Insult Comic Dog when you need him?
Comment by Satan's PA — November 17, 2008 @ 3:11 am
Those girls really need to get a life… screaming obsessive fans scare the shit out of me.
Comment by UGLY DEAF MUSLIM PUNK GURL! — November 17, 2008 @ 6:34 am
This movie hasn’t even opened and I’m already sick and tired of hearing about it. Let’s get it over already. Give it that big opening weekend all the forecasters are talking so that we can move to truly more interesting fare. Oh, and if anyone out there is aching to see an excellent, moody, well-crafted vampire film, go and see LET THE RIGHT ONE IN; perhaps the best vampire movie of this decade.
I don’t give a crap what the box-office pundits say–Just because it grosses big on opening weekend, that doesn’t make it a great movie.
Comment by Armando — November 17, 2008 @ 7:08 am
My impression is that it’s a rabid, but finite fanbase. Outside of the core there won’t be much interest. That said, because they’re rabid they will probably repeat view once or twice. Really it’s going to all depend on how well the fans of the books take to the adaptation. That will drive success or failure. There is no larger audience base to cushion it. That’s why the prediction figures are all over the place.
Comment by Jeff — November 17, 2008 @ 7:24 am
Okay, let’s resign ourselves to the idea that Twilight will make $60mil this weekend for no good reason. The REAL test will be after opening weekend, whether it holds the top spot or not. I think it will fail the same as Sex in the City… huge opening, even bigger drop the following week.
Comment by Enrique — November 17, 2008 @ 9:27 am
CAMPING out at a theater the day before it opens! Is it any WONDER why this country is in trouble in more ways than one! This will be a big time FRONT loaded audience!
chuck
Comment by entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com — November 17, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Everyone keeps saying it will fall off the second week …………………….. who cares !!!!!!……………this movie has already made money and it hasn’t even opened. It doesn’t matter if it falls off on week Two. people love the books and are excited about it. let them enjoy!!!!!!!!
Comment by #44 — November 17, 2008 @ 11:53 am
The actors put their heart and soul into making this low budget movie. They made what could have potentially been a campy teen movie about vampires into a Romeo and Juliet saga. Applause! and bravo. I plan to see this movie at least twice over opening weekend, and then probably once a week throughout its run. Doing that for two major reasons: 1)It’ll be date night between Rob and I. 2)It’s a critical time in Rob career. It’s his chance to show producers that he can open a movie and thus get offered A list scripts/roles. So I suppose it’s out of selfishness partly that I’ll collect my ticket stubs with glee; future good roles for him means viewing pleasure for me. It’s a good investment.
Comment by mkay — November 17, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
i agree with #44!
Comment by unknown — November 17, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
I don’t get it! I think this really has to do more about the hype then the actual quality. People are so desparate to believe in and be apart of something, that they will buy into a product even though it completely sucks. It’s like Pirates of The Caribbean #2 & #3, Superman Returns, or Spider-Man 3. They are all terrible movies, but they made hundreds of millions of dollars for one reason alone…HYPE.
Comment by I don't get it — November 17, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Christ, such a rabid fanbase for a horrific book series. Literary fiction is all but dead.
Comment by Anonymous — November 17, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Armando, i’ve seen LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. probably even before you did. i watched the movie because i’ve read the book. same thing with twilight. i read the book and i’m looking forward to watching the movie. it really irks when people think they’re more intelligent just because they put label on books/movies. i’m a literature nerd but i’m not a snob. get real.
Comment by luisacart — November 17, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
I think you’re all massively underestimating the power of this book series. Yes, I am a ‘Twilight’ fan and I am incredibly excited for the movie. I am even, assuredly, what some of you would call a rabid fan-girl.
The characters in this series are incredibly humanistic. Stephenie Meyer managed to create a female character that is relatable to a wide range of female readers. That is not easy. It’s much easier to create a character that fits into one stereotype and alienate a group of readers but she didn’t. Bella could be anyone and that is what draws so many people in. The story it self is fantastic and fast paced. It has emotion, wit, and humanity. It is no wonder that people are drawn to it.
Implying that all of these people are doing this merely to be a part of something is ridiculous. Are some of them? Probably. These books mean something to people. People enjoy them. Who cares if you don’t. I doubt they enjoy everything that you do. You can say they suck, that’s fine. Glad you have an opinion. There’s no point in putting what a lot of people enjoy down because you don’t agree with it.
Don’t judge the movie until you’ve seen it. We have the right to be excited and optimistic about it. Sure we want it to do well at the box office so the rest of the series will be made, the series deserves that much, but over all if the fans like why does it matter to the people who don’t?
I don’t believe for one second people camping out is any part of some grand problem the country has. So, people have found something to enjoy. There is nothing wrong with that. It is escapist in a big way, sure, but people need that.
I myself, already have tickets to see it twice in the first twenty four hours it is in theaters. And before you go on about rabid-tween girls. I’m not quite a teenager anymore (admittedly close but not quite) and the second time I’m seeing it is with my, just as excited and also seeing it twice in twenty four hours, mum.
It’s something people can enjoy together, not because of mob mentality but because they like it. Let’s face it, if the whole fan-base was entirely centered on a desire to be a part of something there would not have been the split when ‘Breaking Dawn’ came out. Everyone would have been blindly in love with it simply for being part of the series. Instead, a large chunk of the fans hated it.
It’s great finding someone who likes the same things you do. And as an English major, if it’s a book, even better.
Comment by Amy — November 18, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
Comment by luisacart — November 17, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
Am sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone..
hugs;-)
Comment by Armand — November 18, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
you shouldn’t judge the movie before it has even come out. when it comes out, and you’ve seen it, then you can say it sucks. most people who trash the movie and the whole series haven’t even read it. it’s not just a book for twelve year olds, or even sixteen year olds, it is a book that has been enjoyed by millions of ALL age groups. give the movie a chance. i’m not saying it will be great, or even good, but its ridiculous to say that its just a hype and that the novels are trash, when there is no real evidence to back it up.
Comment by Anonymous — November 18, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
I think you’re all massively underestimating the power of this book series. Yes, I am a ‘Twilight’ fan and I am incredibly excited for the movie. I am even, assuredly, what some of you would call a rabid fan-girl.
The characters in this series are incredibly humanistic. Stephenie Meyer managed to create a female character that is relatable to a wide range of female readers. That is not easy. It’s much easier to create a character that fits into one stereotype and alienate a group of readers but she didn’t. Bella could be anyone and that is what draws so many people in. The story it self is fantastic and fast paced. It has emotion, wit, and humanity. It is no wonder that people are drawn to it.
Implying that all of these people are doing this merely to be a part of something is ridiculous. Are some of them? Probably. These books mean something to people. People enjoy them. Who cares if you don’t. I doubt they enjoy everything that you do. You can say they suck, that’s fine. Glad you have an opinion. There’s no point in putting what a lot of people enjoy down because you don’t agree with it.
Don’t judge the movie until you’ve seen it. We have the right to be excited about it. Sure we want it to do well at the box office so the rest of the series will be made, the series deserves that much, but over all if the fans like why does it matter to the people who don’t?
I don’t believe for one second people camping out is any part of some grand problem the country has. So, people have found something to enjoy. There is nothing wrong with that. It is escapist in a big way, sure, but people need that.
I myself, already have tickets to see it twice in the first twenty four hours it is in theaters. And before you go on about rabid-tween girls. I’m not quite a teenager anymore (admittedly close but not quite) and the second time I’m seeing it is with my, just as excited and also seeing it twice in twenty four hours, mum.
It’s something people can enjoy together, not because of mob mentality but because they like it. Let’s face it, if the whole fan-base was entirely centered on a desire to be a part of something there would not have been the split when ‘Breaking Dawn’ came out. Everyone would have been blindly in love with it simply for being part of the series. Instead, a large chunk of the fans hated it.
It’s great finding someone who likes the same things you do. And as an English major, if it’s a book, even better.
Comment by Amy — November 18, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Blah blah blah! *swoon* Edward! *swoon* Blah blah blah! *swoon* OMGZ! Twilight is da greatezt!!! *swoon* Blah blah blah!
Answer me this, why the fuck is a 100-year-old vampire hanging around at a high school? Has he spent his entire life hanging around at high schools? That must suck big time. Does he have a shitload of high school diplomas? Does he go from high school to high school so he can prey on teenage girls? Sure, he may look a teenager physically but mentally he’s a 100-year-old. BTW, a 100-year-old vampire stalking, I mean romancing a teenage girl isn’t romantic. That’s fucking creepy.
Comment by The Underminer — November 19, 2008 @ 2:10 am
This is going to be huge. I have teen kids and there was never this excitment for Harry Potter or any other movie. They will also go and see it half a dozen times. Unless you have teenage daughters you would not understand!
Comment by Caroline — November 19, 2008 @ 5:56 am
The younger Cullens repeat high school because the younger they pretend to be the longer they can stay in one place.
Comment by Anonymous — November 19, 2008 @ 8:05 am
if you guys are saying how much you dont care then why are you going on to twilight websites and articles and posting! If you dont have anything positive to say don’t say it! No one wants to hear your complaints about a movie. ‘
I have read the books myself and they happen to be very good, by a very good author. You guys are getting so mad that people are excited for a movie! If you have read the books and would like to comment on them, sure its your opinion! But if you haven’t which sounds like most of you havent, then shut up! you have no idea what you are talking about!maybe try reading the books then give an opinion. you guys really need to calm down
Comment by mag — November 20, 2008 @ 3:27 pm